Modular Furniture System

ABSTRACT

The modular furniture system according to the invention consists of the elements: that allow for construction of the combined set of any size in width, depth and height. The composition of the module ( 1 ) assembled from four tubular supports ( 2 ) connected to each other rigidly and arranged relative to each other so that the surface between the longitudinal axes and perpendicular to the axis forms a square or a rectangle that is a multiple of the square, wherein supports ( 2 ) are made of tube having a cross-section shape with at least four axes of symmetry, inside the vertical metal tubular support ( 2 ) of the module, a connector ( 3 ) is positioned in the form of a bar and its cross-sectional dimensions are adapted to the internal dimensions of the support ( 2 ) which at the same time on the other side can be connected to the second support ( 2 ) or ( 4 ) or the plug ( 5 ) or furniture foot ( 6 ) or furniture wheel assembly ( 7  or offset support ( 8 ).

This application claims the benefit of Poland Application No. PL P-410370 filed Dec. 4, 2014, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

The present invention is a modular furniture system particularly used as a place for displaying goods in shops.

From the European patent EP0901332 a modular interior furnishing system is known. The system is equipped with different functional units and one or several typical bearing components. At least one structural element of the system is implemented as a single-plane self-supporting frame consisting of vertical beams, connected rigidly with the horizontal links using screws. In order to ensure stability, the frame can be mounted on a base or the frames standing next to each other can be arranged at an angle and is connected by means of a angle coupling with variable angle or angle retractor shapes. The base of the frame is constructed in the shape of the letter H and is arranged in a perpendicular plane to the plane of the frame. At any height on the vertical supports of the frame, functional units of the system are mounted in such a way that they intersect the plane of the frame.

From the German patent application DE102010054789, a modular shop rack is known that has two vertical columns supporting the main module and the support frame for supporting the container with exposed products attached to the bearing posts. The support frame is connected to a support, which is lower than the main bearing columns. The module with support frame is attached to the base module.

Known from the Polish patent application No. P-394520 is the node connecting the longitudinal profile elements, in particular load-bearing sections for the construction of structures in the form of profile of tubes fitted in their inner space with at least two longitudinal protrusions which constitute guides. The connection knot has a profile connector with the body and at least two guiding strips, the cross-section of which is adapted to the shape of the guides cross-section. The guiding strips are introduced into the inner space of the front pans of the combined sections and fixed in the axial direction.

Known from the Polish patent application No. P-320595 is the coupling set for construction of shelves or furniture that ha couplings with crossbar connections, supports, bolts, crossbars, closing end elements, supports and mounting ring which may also be made of wood. The structure core coupling of the set is made by applying pressure of the coupling screw on the support and crossbars fixed in the coupler. Couplers are divided horizontally and on the opposite inner sides of the halves, they have up to eight notches with through holes and longitudinal grooves serving to settle and adjust the position of crossbars. Each crossbar has bilateral notches at the settled end and is settled on bilaterally protruding pins placed in complementary holes of coupler halves.

From the patent application P-402965 a set of components for the furniture construction is known. The set is characterized in that a combination of bars of different length comprises at least four equal first bars, equal second bars and equal third bars, while a set of boards comprises equal rectangular first boards, equal rectangular second boards, and equal rectangular third boards, while first bars, second bars and third bars have holes on their long sides which in the case of each side are equally spaced from each other and from the edge of the long sides of the bar, hue the through holes in the adjacent long sides of the first bar, second and bar to third bar run in planes perpendicular to each other. Rectangular first board has two parallel rows of holes equally spaced from the sides, wherein the distance between the holes (2) forming the row on the first rectangular board, is equal to the distance between the holes in the third bar.

Known from the European patent EP0868132 is the structural system to build shelves with vertical supports, on which detachable components, in particular boards, are mounted. The posts pass through holes or boards elements recesses. The system includes connection inserts that are placed in each of the holes or recesses of the construction element, and whereby the bars are connected to the structural components. Modular furniture system according to the invention consists of the elements that allow for construction of the combined set of any size in width, depth and height. The composition consists of the module (1) assembled from four tubular supports (2) connected to each other rigidly and arranged relative to each other so that the surface between the longitudinal axes and perpendicular to the axis formed a square or a rectangle that is a multiple of the square, wherein the supports (2) are made of tube with a section of shape with at least four axes of symmetry, while inside the vertical metal tubular support (2) of the module, a connector (3) is positioned in the form of a bar and cross-sectional dimensions adapted to the internal dimensions of the support (2) which at the same time on the other side can be connected to the second support (2) or (4) or the plug (5) or foot of furniture (6) or the furniture wheel assembly (7) or the offset support (8) or several of these elements simultaneously, wherein the supports (2, 4 and 8) optionally have openings (9) for screws (10) for positioning the connecting component (3) relative to the supports and the supports (2, 4, 8), are superimposed one over the other, their front surfaces being in direct contact. The support (2, 4, 8) is made of metal tube. Preferably, the tube has a square cross section. In another embodiment, the supports (2, 4. 8) are made of a tube that has a circular cross-section. In another embodiment, the supports (2, 4, 8) are made of a tube of cross section that is an equilateral octagon. The invention does not limit the support pipe cross-section shape, The support tubes (2) are connected rigidly with each frame, which preferably has a rectangular (11) or a cross (12) shape.

In another embodiment, the supports (2) are connected rigidly to one another with a board (13). Preferably the board (13) is made of wood or a wood-based material. In another preferred embodiment, the board (13) is made of a glass pane. Preferably the rigid connection of the support (2 or 4) with the frame (11, 12) or board (13) is a screw connection. In an embodiment in which the metal support (2) is connected to the metal frame (11 or 12), the rigid connection is a welded connection. In the embodiment of the connection of the support (2 or 4) with the board (13) where the board is made of wood or a wood-based material or a glass pane, it is preferred that the rigid connection of the support (2) is an adhesive bonding.

The material for making the connector (3) is arbitrary, but preferably the connector is made of wood.

The connector (3) retains the mutual relative position of supports (2, 4, 8) of superposed or those supports with furniture support components (6, 7) and plugs (5), The loads of furniture are transferred directly from the support to support or from the support to supporting components of furniture, while the connectors (3) do not take part in this process.

The modular furniture system allows for any compilation of modules. Derivative modules may be arranged as parallel or perpendicular to each other. It is possible through supports, whose location corresponds to the distance between the supports of other module types. The system allows unlimited expansion of the furniture while maintaining the stability of the whole set. The cross-sectional shape of the bearing posts is undetermined. On the basis the modules, with support of bearing posts, it is possible to install the vertical, side and rear walls and to equip the module with front doors or drawers. The walls and doors can be made of any material, preferably wood panels or glass.

The invention is explained in the accompanying exemplary realization drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the rack set, FIG. 2 shows the perspective view of the rack set disassembled to its components, FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a structural component of the rack set, FIG. 4 is a cross-section the supports connection, FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the connection of the support and the plug. FIG. 6 is a cross-section of fixing the support to the board, FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the connection of the support and furniture wheel, FIG. 8 is a cross-section of connection of the support and the foot, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the module with the cross rectangular frame, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the module with the cross square frame, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a set of identical, rectangular modules with slabs of glass panes. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a set of different modules with slabs of glass panes.

EXAMPLE 1

The modular system consists of a module (1) assembled from four tubular supports (2) connected to each other rigidly and arranged relative to each other so that the surface between the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the axis forms a square or a rectangle that is a multiple of the square. The supports (2) are made of a pipe having a square cross-section. Inside the vertical metal tubular support (2) of the module, a connector (3) is positioned in the form of a bar and its cross-sectional dimensions are adapted to the internal dimensions of the support (2). The connector (3) is made of wood connected simultaneously with the other pan of the second support (2) or the support (4) or the plug (5) or foot of furniture (6). The supports (2 and 4 and 8) are equipped with holes (9) for screws (10) for positioning the connector (3) relative to the supports. The supports (2, 4, 8) overlay on each other into one another and their front surfaces are in direct contact. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 2

The combination of the support 2 or 4 with the board 13 is a screw connection 14. The screw connection on the one side is welded to the support 2 or 4, and on the other side it is placed in the opening 15 within the board 13 and locked by a plug 16 on a pad in the shape of a crescent 17, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5. FIG. 6.

EXAMPLE 3

The connector 3 is made of wood connected simultaneously with the support 2 and furniture foot 6 or furniture wheel 7. The position of the connector 3 in the support 2 is set by a screw 10. Axially placed in the adapter 3 is a threaded sleeve 18, which is screwed into the adjusting spindle 19 to set the height of the foot 6 or furniture wheel 7, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

EXAMPLE 4

Module 1 consists of four supports 2 in the shape of a circular section tube, connected rigidly to the frame 12 in a rectangular cross or square shape. The rigid connection between the frame 12 and supports 2 is welded, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

EXAMPLE 5

The modular system consisting of identical or different rectangular modules, superimposed on one another. Supports 2 of each module are connected to each other rigidly through the board 13 of glass pane by adhesive binding, as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12. 

1. A modular furniture system comprising of the elements that allow for construction of the combined set of any size in size, width, depth and height, characterized in that the system comprises a module (1) assembled from four tubular supports (2) connected to each other rigidly and arranged relative to each other so that the surface between the longitudinal axes and perpendicular to the axis forms a square or a rectangle that is a multiple of the square, wherein the supports (2) are made of tubes with cross-section shape of at least than four axes of symmetry, inside a vertical metal tubular support (2) of the module, the connector (3) is positioned in the form of a bar and the cross-sectional dimensions adapted to the internal dimensions of the support (2) which at the same time on the other side can he connected to the second support (2) or (4) or the plug (5) or foot of furniture (6) or the furniture wheel assembly (7) or the offset support (8) or several of these elements simultaneously, wherein the supports (2, 4 and 8) optionally have openings (9) for screws (10) for positioning the coupler (3) relative to the supports and the supports (2,
 4. 8), are superimposed one over the other and their front surfaces are in direct contact.
 2. A modular furniture system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the tube supports (2) are connected by a rectangular frame (11).
 3. A modular furniture system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the tube supports (2) are connected by the cross frame (12).
 4. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube supports (2) are connected to the board (13).
 5. A modular furniture system according to claim 4, characterized in that the board (13) is made of wood or wood-based material.
 6. A modular furniture system according to claim 4, characterized in that the board (13) is a glass pane.
 7. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection of the support (2 or 4) with the frame (11, 12) or board (13) is a screw connection.
 8. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection of the support (2 or 4) with the frame (11, 12) is a welded connection.
 9. A modular furniture system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the connection of the support (2 or 4) with the board (13) is an adhesive binding.
 10. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (2, 4, 8) is made of a tube having a square cross-section.
 11. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (2, 4, 8) is made of a tube having a circular cross-section.
 12. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized, in that the support (2, 4, 8) is made of a tube having an equilateral octagonal cross section.
 13. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector (3) is made of wood. 